Campaigners hoping to persuade ministers to cut another penny off the price of a pint have revealed the beer and pub industry adds more than £550 million to the Kent economy and pays wages of nearly £280 million.

Nearly £300 million in taxes is paid by the county’s 1,502 pubs and 28 breweries according to research by Oxford Economics, commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association.

The study revealed 26,014 jobs in Kent rely on beer and pubs – 19,670 directly – with the sector particularly important to youth employment, with 9,401 workers aged 16 to 24.

It is estimated the industry invested £38.8 million in the county last year.

The figures have been revealed as the Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) calls for the government to cut beer duty for a third time in this year’s Budget.

Under the beer duty escalator beer tax rose by 42% from 2008 to 2013, during which 7,000 pubs closed and 58,000 jobs were lost nationally.

The BBPA claims the two, one penny beer duty cuts have secured 16,000 jobs across the country.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “The last two years of duty cuts have made a real difference, saving jobs across the country, boosting investment and increasing confidence.

“But with beer duty still 36% higher than it was in 2008, we really need another cut.

“In Kent the brewing and pub sector is a dynamic part of the local economy. Historic and vibrant; it creates jobs, adds to the local economy and is at the centre of the hospitality industry, our cultural heritage and the social life of every community.”

The chairman of the BBPA is Jonathan Neame, the chief executive of Shepherd Neame based in Faversham and recently named Kent’s most influential business person in the Power List published by Kent Business.

His company directly employs around 1,200 staff at its brewery and 52 managed houses, and indirectly provides jobs for around 4,000 people across its tenanted estate.

Mr Neame said: “I am delighted that this report has identified the important role that the brewing and pub sector plays in the Kent economy, and indeed across the UK as a whole.

“The sector is performing well thanks to greater consumer confidence, improved weather conditions, and lower taxation on beer. As a consequence, after many years of decline, the beer market has grown.”

Oxford Economics' research said in 2014 Kent’s beer and pub sector contributed:

• £559m to Kent’s GDP
• £297.7m in taxes
• £38.8m investment
• 26,014 jobs (19,670 directly)
• £277m in wages